Interspecific tree named ‘Plumcandy X’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an interspecific tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a large size, medium vigorous, hardy, and very productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during early September, with first picking on Sep. 8, 2011. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, full red in skin color, semi-clingstone in type, globose in shape, yellowish white in flesh color, firm in texture, and mildly sweet with a hint of coconut in flavor.

Botanical classification: Prunus sp.

Varietal denomination: ‘PLUMCANDY X’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits. The present inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, which hasbeen denominated varietally as ‘Plumcandy X’.

During a typical blooming season I isolate as seed parents bothindividual and groups of different plum trees by covering them withscreen houses. A hive of bees is placed inside each such house, andbouquets to provide pollen from different plum, apricot, andinterspecific hybrid trees are placed in buckets near the treesapproximately every two days for the duration of the bloom. During 2001one such house containing an unpatented red plum, code named ‘39P898’,was crossed by me in this manner. To pollinate this red plum, I selectedbouquets from several sources of apricot and interspecific hybrid treeswithout keeping specific written details. Upon reaching maturity thefruit from this red plum tree was harvested and the seeds were removed,cracked, stratified and germinated as a group with the label “H15B”.They were grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse and uponreaching dormancy transplanted to a cultivated area of my experimentalorchard located near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (San JoaquinValley). During the summer of 2005 the claimed variety was selected byme as a single plant from the group of seedlings described above.Subsequent to origination of the present variety of interspecific tree,I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimentalorchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, 39P898 plum(unpatented) by producing fruit that is firm, juicy, medium size,globose in shape and that matures in the late season, but is quitedistinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is much sweeter, redinstead of dark purple in skin color, and white instead of yellow inflesh color.

The present variety is most similar to ‘September Yummy®’ plum (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 14,220) by producing fruit that is full red in skincolor, juicy, firm, globose in shape, semi-freestone in type, sweet inflavor, and mature in mid September, but is distinguished therefrom byproducing fruit that is somewhat smaller in size, that is white insteadof mostly yellow in flesh color, and that has a unique coconut tastingflavor.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

The present interspecific variety is characterized by a large size,medium vigorous, hardy, and very productive tree. Being self-unfruitful,the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot,interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season. The fruitmatures under the ecological conditions described during earlySeptember, with first picking on Sep. 8, 2011. The fruit is uniformlymedium in size, full red in skin color, semi-clingstone in type, globosein shape, yellowish white in flesh color, firm in texture, and mildlysweet with a hint of coconut in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, a half fruitsectioned to reveal the flesh and stone, typical leaves, and two insetsdepicting the flower buds and blossoms as they appeared on the treeduring the blooming season.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, the following hasbeen observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif. The fruit description wasdeveloped at the state of firm ripe no Sep. 13, 2011, on the originaltree during its tenth growing season. The flower and bud descriptionswere developed during the previous blooming season. All major color codedesignations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council,National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also usedoccasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘39P898’ plum (unpatented).-   Pollen parent: Unknown.

TREE

-   Size: Large, reaching a height of 12′ [3.66 m.] and a spread of 10′    (3.05 m.) after ten growing seasons utilizing typical dormant    pruning.-   Vigor: Medium vigor, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 4′ [1.22 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading to slightly drooping and dense.-   Form: Pruned to a vase form.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Vey production, thinning usually necessary.-   Fertility: Self-unfruitful, requiring cross pollination by a    suitable mid seasonal blooming apricot, interspecific, or plum, such    as ‘September Yummy®’ plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,220).-   Bearing: Regular bearer, no crop failures observed, weather    dependent.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4⅞″ [123.8 mm.]            after the tenth growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr] and Dark            yellowish brown [78. d.yBr] variegation with Light yellowish            brown [76. l.yBr] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color:            Brownish orange [54. brO]. Average Size: 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].            Shape: Elongated, eye-shaped.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Limb diameter is 3⅛″ [79.4 mm.] measured 12″ above the            crotch, 1⅞″ [47.6 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first year wood, increasing roughness            with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            2nd Year Wood: A Strong brown [55. s.Br] and Grayish brown            [61. gy.Br] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 60 on second year            wood. Color: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY]. Average Size:            1/32″ [0.8 mm.]. Shape: Elongated, eye-shaped.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 3⅜″ [85.7 mm.]. Average Width:            1¾″ [44.5 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute to rounded, with an average base angle of 70            degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: ½″ [12.7 mm.]. Average Thickness:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Light yellow green [119. l.YG] with            some Moderate yellowish pink [29. m.yPk] areas where exposed            to strong sunlight.        -   Stipules.—Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing            tip. Average Length: 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Color: Brilliant            yellow green [116. brill.YG].        -   Glands.—Number: Mostly 2 per leaf. Position: Mostly            alternately positioned on petiole near the intersection of            the petiole and the base of the leaf blade. Size: Medium.            Form: Globose. Color: Light yellow green [119. l.YG]            acquiring Dark yellowish brown [78. d.yBr] centers with age.            Leaf buds: Pointed, medium.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically 3/16″ [4.8 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Tip color.—White [263. White].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Average flower diameter.— 15/16″ [23.8 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Five, no double blossoms observed.        -   Petal shape.—Oval to circular.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, smooth to slightly wavy.        -   Average petal diameter.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Obtuse.        -   Petal color.—White [263. White] on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Strong orange yellow [68. s.OY].        -   Stigma color.—Brilliant greenish yellow [98. brill.gY].        -   Sepal color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG] on the outer            surface, Light grayish red [18. l.gy.R] around the outer            edges on some.        -   Sepal length.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 5/32″ [4.0 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the width and            length.        -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth, with slight serrations toward            the apex.        -   Average pistil length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Pollen production.—Abundant, extremely bee enticing.        -   Bloom density.—Heavy.        -   Number per cluster.—2 to 8, average 3.        -   Blooming period.—Medium, three days after ‘Black Amber’ plum            (unpatented).        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 28, 2011.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 7, 2011.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Sep. 13, 2011.-   Date of first picking: Sep. 8, 2011.-   Date of last picking: Sep. 22, 2011.-   Size: Uniform, medium.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—2 7/16″ [61.9 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2½″ [63.5 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2⅜″ [60.3 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—4.9 ounces [138.9 grams].-   Form: Uniform, globose, symmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round to slightly oval.        -   Transverse section through diameter.—Round.-   Suture: An inconspicuous line located in a medium groove extending    from the base just to the pistol point.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lightly lipped throughout.-   Lips: Mostly equal.-   Cavity: Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side.    -   -   Depth.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Breadth.— 15/16″ [23.8 mm.].-   Base: Truncate, cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Apex: Rounded, slightly cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Pistil point: An inconspicuous Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr]    dot located at the end of the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/32″ [2.4 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Nonastringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Very deep red [14. v.deep R] over a Very red [11.            v.R] background with Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY]            freckling throughout.        -   Bloom.—Abundant.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Yellowish white [92. yWhite] throughout.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Yellowish white [92.            yWhite] broken fibers when twisted away from stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Slight.        -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, tough, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine.        -   Ripens.—Fairly even, slightly earliest toward the apex.        -   Flavor.—Mildly sweet, very distinct with a hint of coconut,            typically 18 to 20 brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

-   Type: Semi-free.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow to slightly oblong.-   Base: Cordate.-   Apex: Acuminate.-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Rough throughout with furrows on each side of the dorsal    fin.-   External Color of Stone: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr] when    first removed.-   Pit wall color when cracked: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY].-   Cavity surface color: Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].-   Average pit wall thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.].-   Average width: ⅝″ [15.9 mm.].-   Average length: 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].-   Average breadth: 13/32″ [10.3 mm.].-   Tendency to split: None observed.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY] when first            removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Dark yellowish brown [78. d.yBr].        -   Vein color.—Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr].        -   Taste.—Slightly bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of interspecific tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific Prunus sp. tree,substantially as illustrated and described, that is most similar to‘September Yummy®’ plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,220) by producing fruitthat is full red in skin color, juicy, firm, globose in shape,semi-freestone in type, sweet in flavor, and that matures in midSeptember, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that issomewhat smaller in size, that is white instead of mostly yellow inflesh color, and that has a unique coconut tasting flavor.